This is The Scoop, a communication sent about every two weeks from the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. Feel free to share this information. Send items to share to Jim DeLa, director of communications, at jdela@episcopalswfl.org

The next Scoop is scheduled for release on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The Scoop for November 16, 2009:

Apply for a UTO grant: The 2010 UTO grant application forms are now available. Projects must focus particularly on implementing significant change toward alleviating profound human suffering that the Millennium Development Goals address, particularly those that directly affect women and children. Grants are for projects that will occur June 2010 through June 2011. Complete the application found at www.episcopalchurch.org/uto and send the original to: The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, Attn: Jan / UTO, 7313 Merchant Court, Sarasota, FL 34240. The deadline for receipt of applications is Dec. 31. For additional information contact Jan Nothum in the bishop’s office via e-mail at jnothum@episcopalswfl.org

You, too, can catch that aloha spirit: The Rev. Kyle Bennett of St. Mark’s, Marco Island, says lots of people ask him where he gets his Hawaiian-print clerical shirts. He confides he gets them from Kathy Branick and you can e-mail her for orders at richardbranick@bellsouth.net

Other news:

Productive outing: The bishop’s office is pleased to report that “Baseball with the Bishop” night at Tropicana Field in September drew about 700 Episcopalians to see the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees and raised $2,616 for the Episcopal Charities Fund.

Singers wanted: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg will be performing “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on March 12 and 13. Rehearsals will start Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at the church. All singers are invited but men are especially needed. Please contact Barbara Counts at (727) 864-6796.

Bilingual Altar Guild training? The diocesan Altar Guild is looking at the possibility of an English/Spanish workshop in January or February of 2010 in the Tampa area. Please contact Sarah Hill by Dec. 31 at sarah_hill@hotmail.com if you are interested in attending or assisting with training, particularly if you are fluent in Spanish.

Altar Guild newsletter goes electronic: The diocesan Altar Guild board is revising Altargram and hopes to be able to publish four issues each year (January, April, July and October). Articles on any topic of interest to Altar Guild members will be gratefully accepted. One copy of the Altargram is mailed to each parish with a request that it be posted in the sacristy. They will also e-mail a copy to at least one representative from each parish, with the request that they then e-mail it to as many members of their Altar Guild as possible. If you would like to receive a copy by e-mail, send your request to pcurlin@verizon.net

ERD will double your donation: Two very generous donors to Episcopal Relief and Development have agreed to match every contribution received by Nov. 30, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $250,000. Gifts to all areas of need will be matched, including Gifts for Life. Your matched gift will alleviate hunger, improve food supplies, create economic opportunities and promote health for people living in poverty. Donate by visiting www.er-d.org.

Bishop search opens: The Diocese of Western New York has announced the opening of its application process for its 11th bishop. The profile, nomination form and application forms are available at www.wnybishopsearch.org. The deadline for completed applications is Dec. 31. The central image of the profile is a bishop walking a tightrope across Niagara Falls. “This image conveys both humor and awe at the challenges facing us and the abundance of grace that sustains us,” the announcement says. The diocese comprises 62 rural and urban congregations, ranging in size from an average Sunday attendance of under 20 to an average Sunday attendance of about 200.

Coming up:

Housing project groundbreaking: A groundbreaking ceremony is set Nov. 20 for the St. Giles II Manor housing project. Bishop Dabney Smith will offer an invocation. Things start at 10 a.m. at St Giles II Manor, 7650 58th Street North in Pinellas Park. For more information, contact St. Giles' Church at (727) 544-6856.

Craft Fair time: Holy Innocents Church in Valrico will be sponsoring the Whistle Stop Craft Show on Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 604 North Valrico Road. All proceeds will go toward outreach programs. A raffle for a Rachel's Guild handmade quilt will be held, tickets for other raffles will be available, and homemade baked goods and other food and drink may be purchased. For more information, phone Pat at (727) 365-2300 or the church office at (727) 689-3130, or check the website at www.hiepiscopal.org

Food for the Soul:

Dec. 5: Advent quiet days: St. James Episcopal Church in Port Charlotte is hosting an Advent quiet day. The guest speaker will be Geri Gardner. Please bring a bag lunch, drinks and dessert will be provided. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at St. James, 1365 Viscaya Dr., in Port Charlotte. Contact the church office at (941) 627-4000.

Calvary Episcopal Church at Indian Rocks Beach is also hosting an Advent Quiet Morning on Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning with the Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. The Very Rev. John Hiers, rector of The Church of the Ascension and dean of the Clearwater Deanery, will be the spiritual leader for this morning of silence and meditation. If you need directions to Calvary please check the website at www.CalvaryIRB.org or contact Marilyn Clark at (727) 517-4071, or e-mail happyclark@aol.com

Lessons and Carols: St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg will present “A Festival of Christmas Lessons and Carols,” Dec. 6, beginning at 4 p.m. featuring the St. Thomas Chancel Choir, Celestial Choir and the Bells of St. Thomas. A reception will follow in the parish hall. The nursery is available.

Christmas musical: St. Thomas’ in St. Petersburg is also presenting a Christmas Musical, “Oh, My Stars, It’s Christmas!” on Dec.13, beginning at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Mark your Calendars:

Nov. 29 – Celebration of new ministry: The installation of the Rev. Ernestine Flemister as rector of St. James House of Prayer in Tampa is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. The liturgical color will be red.

Jan. 3, 2010 – Celebration of new ministry: The Rev. Dewey Brown, Jr. will be installed at St. Mary's Church, Dade City. The service begins at 4 p.m.

Jan. 15 – Ordination to the priesthood: Deacon Sarah Kerr will be ordained at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg. The service begins at 7 p.m.

Jan. 30 – Celebration of new ministry: The Rev. Dr. Ellen Sloan will be installed as rector of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Sanibel. The service begins at 10 a.m.

Feb. 6 – Lincoln-Douglass Ball: The annual gala event, sponsored by St. James House of Prayer, will celebrate its 20th year on Feb. 6. Tickets for the fundraiser to help the church’s after-school program are $60. The reception will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m., and the promenade and dance beginning at 8 p.m. For tickets, contact Anna Valdes at (813) 876-0409; or Leila Mizer at (813) 961-9350.

More calendar items can be found at www.episcopalswfl.org/upcoming_events

Tech Tip:

Is social media just a fad? Can churches ignore it? We think not. A new YouTube video lays out the latest research from the blog Socialnomics (www.Socialnomics.com). Watch the video at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8&feature=player_embedded

People Notes:

Interim Chief Financial Officer Anne Vickers has accepted an offer to assume the job permanently, effective Jan. 1. She succeeds George McLaughlin, who retired.